TRIP POLICIES
See also Important Travel Advice
and Trip Notes.
Please consider the following: We are meeting with professionals and our group consists of full-time, or soon-to-be full-time employed professionals. Since these meetings take place among professionals, professional dress and behavior are expected. Please act accordingly -- specifically, dress well, and during all presentations, please keep visits to the bathroom, eating, and drinking to a minimum. Typically the talks last 1 - 2 hours -- please take care of any needs before or after the meetings. Eating, crinkling food wrappers, drinking, talking, getting up to take care of personal needs, and especially sleeping, is extremely rude and distracting.
An appropriate level of decorum is also expected outside of the 'classroom.' We are ambassadors of the U.S. and of
Philadelphia University. Consider that people do things differently where we're going and I ask that you attempt to be sensitive to these differences. In most cases, what is considered impolite or inappropriate in the US is also discourteous in London, Brussels, and Paris. People in these countries tend to be more formal and expect you to use titles (Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc.) and surnames (Smith, Jones, etc.). Please 'go the extra mile' in being polite to our hosts in the various companies, hotels, and yes, even the motorcoach drivers. We would like to return with other students and would hope that our hosts will not hesitate to invite us back in future years.
Remember, the primary focus of this trip is to gain exposure to viewpoints and experience of as many professionals as possible. Cultural exposure is also important, but is secondary. You are encouraged to go out in the evenings and have fun, but only to the point that these activities do not interfere with our visits. In other words, have fun, but do not stay out too late the night before a visit. Know your limits and remember that you represent the school and your firm. I can not and will not allow individual's behavior jeopardize the reputation of the school or the MBA program. This applies to behavior at all times, whether during a company visit, at our hotels, while traveling, and touring.
I hesitate to mention all these items, but in years past we have had some difficulties. I do reserve the right to have individuals remain in the hotel if these guidelines are not met. Unprofessional behavior will also have an impact on the final grade.
Adaptability is key to success in business, but particularly when dealing with people with different backgrounds and traveling in unfamiliar surroundings. We have done everything possible to insure a safe and pleasant trip for all. Nevertheless, we are likely to have a few surprises simply because we are a large group. Try to remain flexible, but realize that if there is a problem, you need to let me know and I will do whatever I can to rectify the situation. Remember, my role is instructor, not tour guide or travel agent, but if you want to 'eat American' or are not getting along with your roommate, please let me know and I will steer you to a nearby McDonald's (reluctantly) or have a talk with the roommate.
You should have your passport and visas in hand. In 1995 someone had to finish up the paper work while we were in Europe (it was doubtful at times whether he'd get to visit Brussels with us) and in 1996 someone had to go to New York and had to pay $400 to expedite visa processing. Don't wait until Mid-January to begin application process - you may not get your documents in time. If you need to, Accent can connect you with a visa service, but be forewarned, it can get expensive. By the time classes begin, you should have all visas and a passport. If not, please let me know at the end of the first class.
The European Union and the US Embassy visits are subject to special requirements. I don't ask for personal data (birth date, etc.) lightly. Please consider that many heads of state may be in the same building, and for security reasons, the EU requires that I provide information about each of us. I will collect this information at the beginning of the semester. All participants should have received a letter and short form requesting personal information. If you have not received such a letter, please see me at the end of the first class.
You may want to exchange some currency before we leave (available at major banks downtown and at the airport during the day at Thomas Cook booths). Rates at airports or train stations, and especially at
'cambio' booths are typically not as good as banks' rates. The WORST place to exchange money is at the hotel front desks.
Take a small gift for your hosts if invited to someone's home. Also take 1.5 times the film you think you'll need (5 rolls instead of 3, etc.) - it can be expensive in Europe ($9/roll).
Although everyone's spending habits are different, an average amount of spending money is $600 for the 10 ten days (some spent as little as $350, others as much as $1,000). Please use this as a rough guideline only.
Do not leave luggage unattended. One student lost a piece of luggage because it got mixed up with another group. His passport and clothes were on their way to Italy while we were on the way to Paris (all was returned, but we got really lucky on that one). Another student left a piece of luggage on a train and never saw it again.
Do NOT, even in jest talk about, mention, or suggest in ANY way that you or someone in the group has some explosive device, weapon, or drugs. Security is tight around the globe and you WILL be detained and possibly arrested.
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VERY IMPORTANT
TRAVEL ADVICE
[Not to be morbid, but it's a good idea to have a plan. In case something happens, the situation can be addressed quickly and with less stress. These next few items will help you develop this plan.]
Keep a separate sheet of paper tucked somewhere in your luggage which includes visa and passport numbers; photocopies of the first few pages are even better. (In case yours gets lost, it makes it a lot easier to get new ones if you have this information).
Please ask your spouse, significant other, or close family member to update their current passport, or to obtain one if they don't have a passport. Also, provide them with information about visas. You can get information about visas, embassy and consulate locations, and download a passport application from my
Travel page. In the event of a medical or other emergency, they ought to have the necessary documents so they can travel, if necessary.
Consider updating your will, or have one prepared if you don't have one. You will have some insurance that provides for medical emergencies (the school will not let you travel without it), but if you would like additional coverage for trip cancellation, lost luggage, or life, you can make arrangements through Accent or your own carrier.
Please also advise the professor and Philadelphia University if you have a medical condition that may be aggravated by this sort of travel. We need not have any details, merely a physician's letter stating that you can travel without jeopardizing your physical or mental health.
You will be provided with two copies of the detailed itinerary (about ten pages) that lists the locations, contact people, contact information of all our hotels and corporate visits. You will also be provided with two copies of a contact list (one to two pages) that lists the same information, as well as emergency numbers in each of the cities we'll visit. Take one copy on the trip, leave the other with your spouse or other family member at home. Also provide them with copies of your passport and visas. If you want additional copies, please let me know.
Please also check the main MB40 class web page for travel and travel advisory information.
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